What is the Disparity Study?The Disparity Study is conducted to determine the utilization of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (M/WBE) for the City of Charlotte (City). The study examines the process for attaining products and services for the City, the subcontracting practices of prime contractors/service providers who do business with the City, and the evidence collected from a broad cross section of M/WBE and non-M/WBE firms.

Why do we need this study?The study is necessitated in part by the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the case of City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson that imposed legal requirements on jurisdictions to establish a “compelling interest” to support the establishment of a minority and women business program. The results of the study conducted by MGT of America, Inc. will determine if there is just cause to support the creation of a minority and women business program in the City of Charlotte.